Rep. Dan McNeill announces re-election bid

State Rep. Dan McNeill, D-Lehigh, has announced he is seeking re-election to a second term.

McNeill, 66, a former union leader and Whitehall Township commissioner, said he plans to officially hold a re-election event at 6 p.m. Feb. 18 at Fullertown Playground, which is near the Toys R Us on Grape Street. He said he hopes to pick up signatures on his nominating petitions.

“It was challenging, very challenging,” McNeill said of his first term. “I love being home with constituents.”

But he could be in for a fight to keep his 133rd seat in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. At least two other Democrats are rumored to be running in the May 20 primary for the right to lawmaker.

The job pays $84,012.31.

McNeill (pictured to the left) was elected in November 2012 after the Lehigh County Democratic Party picked him to be on the ballot in place of former Rep. Joe Brennan, who resigned after being charged with domestic violence.

The party picked McNeill over Jose Rosado, an administrator in the Allentown School District and Fountain Hill mayor.

McNeill said Rosado and maybe one other person may plan to challenge him in the May 20 primary.

Rosado (pictured to the right) could not immediately be reached.

McNeill serves on four committees: Aging & Older Adult Services, Local Government, Professional Licensure and State Government.

If he is elected to a second term, McNeill said he hopes to get on the Licenses & Inspections Committee, where he thinks his labor background will be of more service.